Champions League Draw: Real Madrid vs. Benfica, Newcastle vs. Qarabag
The UEFA Champions League has reached an exciting stage as the draw for the knockout rounds awaits. In this year’s competition, notable matchups include Real Madrid facing Benfica and Newcastle going up against Qarabag.
Champions League Draw Insights
The knockout phase commences after the eight winners of the play-offs advance. These teams will join the top eight finishers from the league phase.
Knockout Format and Seeding
From this point, the tournament follows a knockout format. Each contest, except for the final, will be played over two legs. The seeding for the last 16 rounds is vital for determining fixture advantages.
- Seeded teams include those in the top eight of the league phase.
- Seeded teams host the second leg of their matches.
This season introduces a significant change in how teams are seeded not only for the last 16 but also for the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Teams that finish in the top four positions of the league phase will retain this seeding advantage in the quarter-finals.
Benefits for Top Teams
The top two teams in the league phase will be seeded for the semi-finals. This seeding guarantees them the advantage of hosting the second leg should they advance to that stage.
- First to fourth place: Seeded in quarter-finals.
- Top two: Seeded for semi-finals.
If a seeded team exits the competition, the team that defeated them inherits their seeding position, adding an extra layer of strategy.
As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate how these dynamics will shape the upcoming matches, especially with high-profile teams like Real Madrid and Newcastle in the mix.
